St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-08-07
THE CHICAGO BOODLERs.
A Demand Made That They Re-
sign Their Positions.

CHICAGO, Aug. 6.-The convicted
boodlers, Wren, McClaugbrey, Wasser-
man, Ochs, Van Pelt and Varnell, who
spent the night in the county Jail, did
not rest well. Wren and Varnell did
not undress, the latter evidently dread
ing to cOntaminate himself by allowing
his S65 underwear, purchased at the ex-
pense of the county, to touch prison
bed. They were all up by Z O'Clock, and
sat around gloomily enough until $50 a.
m., when four ebOny-hued walters from
neighbOring hotel appeared. and few
minutes later sat table in the third gal
lery of the boys department of the jail,
where breakfast was served. The wait
ers were as Obliging as though in an
ariStOcratic mansion, and caused Van
Pelt to remark that the Jail was good
enough for him as long as the style
lasted. During the morning most of
the convicted boOdlerS occupied them
selves in friendly game of draw poker.
While they were thus engaged Commits
sioner Leyden. who had been allowed
to spend the night at home in charge of
two deputies, was brought in. His wife
and unborn infant are at deaths door.
This afternoon States Attorney Grim
nell called up the motion for new trial
for the convicted bOodlerS. In doing so
he stated that they had not yet
HAD THE DECENCY
to hand in their designations, and he de-
manded it be done at once. 1t seems
that a refusal on the part of the bOod-
lers to resign may, under certain not
improbable contingencies, produce
deadlock that willprevent the levying of
any taxes for the county. Conviction of
an Infamous crime makes vacant the
office held by the criminal, but the law
is so framed that the county board must
declare the vacancy exists, and without
the cooperation of the bOOdlerS this can
hardly be done. Judge Jameson en-
phatically announced that the defend
ants must resign. The spectacle of the
legislators of this great county admins
tering its affairs in Jail would not be
tolerated. Alexander Sullivan, for
the defense, pleaded for time to
consult with his colleagues on this
point, and also asked to have the
arguments on the motion for new
trial postponed until September. After
much discussion Mr.. Sullivan succeeded
in getting matters delayed until Monday
with the understanding that if the
boodlers resigned in the meantime the
trial would be put off until September.
Those of the boOdlers who were merely
fined concluded not to take any further
chances, and withdrew their motion for
another trial. County Commissioner
Leyden was released from the county
jail this afternoon, and allowed to pro-
ceed to his home. accompanied by the
physician in attendance upon the con-
victed boodler's wife, who made state
ment that she was in immediate danger
of death.
This afternoon, late, Commissioner
Klehm, chairman Of the county board,
appeared in the county clerks Office and
rendered his resignation. About the
same time Commissioner r. S. Nc
Claughrey sent for County Attorney
Bliss and informed him that he would
not spend another dollar on de-
fenses. u will go into
court" said he. ''the first
opportunity and ask that final sentence
be passed, and that / be sent to prison."
He then handed Mr.. Bliss his resigna-
ton. This evening commissioners Cas-
selman and Oliver removed all their
property from the county board room,
and announced that they would attend
no more meetings as commissioners.